Hello! I have a 7 year old, overweight lab who was diagnosed on Monday. Her name is Vegas, not Vega, thanks autocorrect. Anyway, she started insulin Monday morning. She also started an antibiotic for an infection she often gets on her paws. She seemed to be doing better, but yesterday my daughter came home from work and Vegas kept collapsing. Her back legs were giving out. We talked with the vet and he said to give her something with sugar. We talked for a bit and he told me how to check her blood glucose levels. (My husband has a meter) It was 526! She wouldn't eat, so he advised to give her insulin on the regular schedule and check again in the morning. She managed to eat 1/2 cup of food this morning and I check again and she was over 400. She had her insulin and I checked again two hours later and she was over 500. So, I have what was a now 88 pound (maybe less now) dog who won't eat and her blood sugar is still high. My biggest concern is getting her to eat. I am hoping that my vet is correct her blood sugar will regulate soon. Any tips? I can get her to seat a few bites of chicken, but she refuses her food. Thanks!!!
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Newly diagnosed and struggling
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Re: Newly diagnosed and struggling
Have they ruled out pancreatitis? Just wondering if there’s another reason she may not want to eat. If there’s no underlying issue and you can get her to eat home cooking like chicken maybe just do that until you can get her feeling better. Or try switching her food? I had a lot of issues getting mine to eat on schedule the first month or two. I added whatever I needed to to get her to eat but still sometimes she’d walk away from her food. I think they just don’t feel good when first diagnosed and they’ve possibly been running high for so long.
Also, what meter are you using? There are pet meters that are more accurate for animals especially at higher glucose levels.
One last thing, back legs giving out can also be neuropathy. Mine had that when first diagnosed. Some B12 shots every few weeks from the vet helped a lot and my pup fully recovered from that.Last edited by Lolo; 05-04-2018, 12:52 PM.
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Re: Newly diagnosed and struggling
A few things. What food is she eating? Could be too high in carbs.
If she doesn't eat and you still give full dose of insulin, her liver may release sugar to give the body energy. If you just feed protein (chicken), then there's no carbs to balance the insulin.
And regulation usually takes a while. For your vet to say she should regulate soon, might be too optimistic. Dogs can run high sugars safely for a while, while their bodies get used to a lot of new things: diet, insulin, metabolism changes, etc.
Being in the 400's and 500's initially is normal, but don't try and rush it. It usually makes it worse.
Be methodical and patient. Don't change insulin doses for at least a week, then do a curve, and increase insulin a bit, wait a week, repeat.
For an 88 lb. dog, an initial dose of NPH would be 20 units twice a day.Riley, 8 yr. old maltipoo, 25 lbs., diagnosed Feb 2017, taking thyroid meds, had pancreatitis and DKA mid March, eating Wellness Senior formula can food. NPH dosage now at 9.0 units Humulin N. Adding either pumpkin, spinach, blueberries, yams, or green beans to his food. Also omega-3 oil.
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Re: Newly diagnosed and struggling
The infection may be playing a part in this high blood sugar, too. And the antibiotic may be one that pushes up blood sugar. Everything that goes in their body - medicine or food can affect blood sugar, infections - skin, UTI, ears, etc usually cause them to go high before you even see symptoms. Anxiety and high levels of exercise can cause high blood sugar or low blood sugar depending on the dog. A bath could drop Maggie 150+.
Did you switch food when diagnosed? Was there any food she ate reliably?Maggie - 15 1/2 y/o JRT diagnosed 9/2007, Angel status on 6/20/16. Her mantra was never give up but her body couldn't keep up with her spirit. Someday, baby.......
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